Few places on Earth have created so many ‘blue-bloods” within one little continent. The English use the term “peerage” to describe their rank and ranking of English nobility according to one’s title, genealogy, and family history. One should also note, for the record, a British baronet is not considered a Noble.
- England:
- King/Queen: The highest title of nobility, representing the monarch and ruler of the realm.
- Prince/Princess: Directly below the king or queen, usually indicating a member of the royal family.
- Duke/Duchess: A title below prince or princess, often given to members of the royal family or as a high honor.
- France:
- Roi/Reine (King/Queen): The highest title of nobility in France, representing the monarch.
- Prince/Princesse: Similar to the English usage, indicating a royal family member or someone of high nobility.
- Duc/Duchesse (Duke/Duchess): Below the prince or princess, this title signified significant territorial authority.
- Italy:
- Re/Regina (King/Queen): The Italian equivalent of king or queen, signifying the ruler of the nation.
- Principe/Principessa (Prince/Princess): Used to denote members of the royal family or high-ranking nobility.
- Duca/Duchessa (Duke/Duchess): Similar to France and England, this title was a step below prince or princess.
- Spain:
- Rey/Reina (King/Queen): Signifying the Spanish monarch, holding the highest authority in the country.
- Principe/Infanta (Prince/Princess): Often used for the heir apparent and other members of the royal family.
- Duque/Duquesa (Duke/Duchess): Conveyed significant authority over a duchy or territory.
- Holy Roman Empire (Germany):
- Kaiser/Furst/Furstin: The Kaiser was the highest title, equivalent to emperor, while Furst or Furstin denoted a prince or princess of a specific territory.
- Pfalzgraf/Pfalzgrafin: This title was specific to the Palatinate region and represented a count or countess.
- Herzog/Herzogin (Duke/Duchess): Similar to other European countries, this title indicated authority over a duchy.
- Additional Titles:
- Marquis/Marchioness: Represented rulers of border regions, known as marches or marcher lords.
- Comte/Comtesse (Earl/Countess): Signified a noble who held authority over a county or similar territory.
- Vicomte/Vicomtesse (Viscount/Viscountess): Held a rank below count, often overseeing smaller administrative regions.
- Baron/Baroness: Denoted a noble who controlled a barony, a region of land within a kingdom.
- Chevalier/Dame (Knight/Dame): A knight was a lower-ranking noble known for their combat skills and loyalty to a higher noble or monarch.
Some Royal Terms defined:
- Kaiser- An emperor, especially of Germany, Austria, or the Holy Roman Empire. An Emperor ranks above a King, while the title Grand Duke was usually below a King in German and Russian, and is similar to the title Archduke once used in Austria.
- King- the highest hereditary male sovereign ruler
- Duke- the highest hereditary title of nobility below the king.
- Dauphin/Dauphine- French terms meaning prince and princess.
- Infante/Infanta- Spanish terms meaning prince and princess.
- Marquis- a nobleman ranking between duke and count.
- Count- a nobleman corresponding to a British Earl.
- Earl- a British nobleman ranking between marquess and viscount. The term Earl is strictly British and is the continental equivalent to a Count.
- Viscount- a British nobleman ranking between earl and a baron
- Baron- the lowest order of British nobility
- Knight- a man awarded a non hereditary title(Sir) by a sovereign. Note that a knight is not a ‘Noble’. Also since his title is not hereditary, it therefore will not be passed on to his children after death.
- Viceroy- sovereign’s deputy ruler in a colony, province, etc.
- Don/Dona- a Spanish title of respect
- Baronet- a member of the lowest hereditary titled British order.
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